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17. The _________________________ test is used to detect the amount of fetal blood in the maternal circulation.

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Final answer:

The Kleihauer-Betke test is utilized to detect fetal blood in maternal circulation, crucial for managing Rh incompatibility issues. It involves Rh+ fetal erythrocytes entering maternal blood during childbirth due to the rupture of the embryonic chorion.

Step-by-step explanation:

Detecting Fetal Blood in Maternal Circulation

The Kleihauer-Betke test is used to detect the amount of fetal blood in the maternal circulation. This is critical, especially in cases where there is a concern about Rh incompatibility, which can occur when the mother is Rh-negative and the fetus is Rh-positive. During birth, Rh-positive (Rh+) fetal erythrocytes may leak into the maternal blood after the breakage of the embryonic chorion, a membrane that normally isolates fetal and maternal blood. The Kleihauer-Betke test helps to estimate the degree of fetal-maternal hemorrhage and is important for determining the appropriate dose of Rh immunoglobulin to prevent the mother from producing anti-Rh antibodies, which could affect future pregnancies.

The lateral flow method, a physical process involved in immunochromatographic assays, is essential for conducting tests like these. These assays enable the testing of antigens in a dilute solution, where antibodies conjugated to small particles are used to detect and bind the antigen. The presence of the antigen then produces a color line on the test strip, confirming the presence of fetal blood in the sample.

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